Man ordered to cover gargoyle statue's genitals

UPI News Service, 06/06/2013

An Arizona artist said county officials have ordered him to cover up or remove a metal statue of a gargoyle he created that features male genitalia.

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David Smith said he spent years creating the 9-foot-tall metal statue he is displaying in his Paulden yard and he disagrees with Yavapai County Development Services Director Steve Mauk's statements that the artwork isn't compatible with the neighborhood, KTVK-TV, Phoenix, reported Thursday.

"What in this neighborhood fits in anywhere? You look around and everybody's individual and you can't swing a dead cat without hitting art work," Smith said.

He said the gargoyle's genitals were a necessary part of its creation.

"I built it a certain way and I like it like that," Smith said. "Everything has a sex so why would I do it any other way? I don't like Ken dolls or GI Joes. I think they're kind of silly."

Smith said officials have ordered him to remove the gargoyle or cover up the offending parts of its anatomy.

Smith said he will argue his case before the County Board of Supervisors in July.

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